“I’m looking forward to the future,” Weddle said this week. “I think everything will work out. If I’m here, I’m here. If not, then I’m not. I love being in San Diego, but it’s not the reason I’ll stay. My wife and kids loving San Diego won’t keep us here. If it’s not where it’s at, I can leave in a heartbeat.”

Weddle said he isn’t trying to break the bank. If the value of an offer from another team is close to what the Chargers offer, he predicted the Chargers would win out.

It is likely, according to numerous people familiar with the market for a starting free safety, that it will take a five- or six-year contract with an average value that exceeds $7 million a year to sign Weddle.

Weddle isn’t talking specifics or taking a hard line, and he isn’t worried.

“I ultimately think it will get done and I’ll be here,” Weddle said. “But by no means – if it’s way off, I’m not going to be here.”

While he is the first to say he has not made enough interceptions, Weddle has improved every year and is increasingly in position to make those types of game-changing plays. He has dropped at least a half-dozen seemingly sure picks in the past two seasons to go with the four interceptions he has made. He is one of eight NFL players – and the only safety – with at least one interception return for a touchdown in both of the past two seasons.

The Chargers under Smith have a history of dictating how and when negotiations proceed but ultimately coming through with a fair deal for players they want. And their preference would be to build the back end of their defense around Weddle.

Weddle respects and has built a bond with secondary coach Steve Wilks, and Weddle does believe the Chargers can be champions. His comfort in the building and in the region aren’t paramount but also aren’t meaningless.

Weddle has clearly given thought to his situation, laughing as he philosophically pointed out that football players are used to changing teams every four years.

“If you think about it, you play four years in high school, four years in college, and now I’ve been here for four years,” Weddle said. “I’m not saying I want to chance, but I’m ready for a change if it happens.”